Andy Robinson's decision to vacate the Scotland coaching hotseat leaves one of the sport's top jobs up for grabs.

With the 2013 Six Nations looming large on the horizon and the next Rugby World Cup less than three years away, the pressure is on Scottish Rugby to find the right man and as SRU chief executive stated yesterday 'take the team forward'.

So who will get the nod? ESPNscrum casts an eye across some of those names likely to be linked to the post.

Scott JohnsonThe Australian was drafted into the Scotland set-up earlier this year as 'senior assistant coach' by Robinson and could be handed the position on a caretaker basis to ensure the Scots are at least prepared for the forthcoming Six Nations. He has previously taken charge of Wales and also worked with Australia and the USA while most recently he was at the helm of Welsh region the Ospreys.

Nick MallettThe former South Africa and Italy coach was more recently linked with the England job before Stuart Lancaster was appointed full time. He has opted for a break from rugby's front line in the last year with his commitments with South African television occupying his time but time might be right for his return?

Sean LineenKiwi-born Lineen was a member of Scotland's grand slam-winning team in 1990 and would go on to enjoy a six-year spell as Glasgow coach. He was replaced by Gregor Townsend in the summer and has since moved into a player acquisition role and has engineered the recruitment of who he hopes will be future Scotland players - Sean Maitland, Josh Strauss and Willem Nel - but is sure to be tempted by a return to full time coaching.

Bryan RedpathThe former Scotland captain and scrum-half is currently head coach at Premiership side Sale Sharks having been demoted from the post of director of rugby following a disastrous start to the season. With former All Blacks coach John Mitchell on his way to the Sharks, Redpath may welcome the opportunity for a fresh challenge?

Wayne SmithThe former All Blacks coach flirted with a return to the Test match stage earlier this year by entertaining the idea of working alongside Nick Mallett should he have got the England job. He is currently contracted with the Chiefs in New Zealand but recently lent his expertise to Glasgow and Edinburgh during two-week visit. The SRU clearly have his number.

Todd BlackadderThe former All Blacks skipper played in Scotland for Edinburgh and later went on to coach the side while also working alongside the then national coach Matt Williams. He has since returned to New Zealand where he is in charge of the Crusaders and while he may have one eye on the All Blacks job he may choose to bolster his CV with some international coaching experience.

Alan TaitThe former Scotland and British & Irish Lions international has previously served under former national coaches Ian McGeechan and Frank Hadden. More recently he was in charge of Premiership side Newcastle Falcons but parted company with them earlier this year to "take a break" from rugby.

Michael BradleyThe former Ireland international served as head coach at Connacht and was briefly with the Irish national side before joining Edinburgh in 2011. His charges enjoyed a superb Heineken Cup campaign last year but have struggled to hit those heights this term.

Jake WhiteWhite famously steered South Africa to the Rugby World Cup crown and has been linked to every major coaching vacancy since parting company with the Boks in the wake of their 2007 triumph - including the England job. Currently attempting to breathe life back into the Brumbies on the Super Rugby stage.